Officials say dolphin at controversial Arizona facility died of infection

PHOENIX – A young dolphin that died at a controversial Phoenix-area attraction where visitors can interact with the marine mammals in May suffered from an acute bacterial infection, officials said.

Alia, a 10-year-old female, was the second bottlenose dolphin to die at Dolphinaris since it opened in Scottsdale amid protests in October 2016.

Bottlenose dolphins typically have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years and reach sexual maturity between between ages 5 and 14, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Alia had been displaying unusual behaviors recently and was under continual care by Dolphinaris staff and veterinarians. Officials announced her cause of death over the weekend.

In September 2017, a 7-year-old male dolphin named Bodie died of what Dolphinaris said was a rare muscle disease.

The facility said a necropsy showed veterinarians could have done nothing to help Bodie.

However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which tracks marine mammals in captivity, reportedly listed Bodie’s cause of death as a fungal infection.

When Dolphinaris announced it would open on Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community tribal land near the Loop 101 and Via de Ventura, more than 100,000 protesters signed an online petition opposing it.

One of the facility’s biggest attractions is that guests can swim with its dolphins, but opponents were concerned that the interactions could sicken the animals and people.

Critics also argued that the facility’s 1 million-gallon tank was too small, and the dolphins would be deprived of social and psychological stimulus.

According to the standards section of Dolphinaris’ website, all of its animals were born in captivity and raised in human care.

“Concerned about the welfare of the dolphins? We are too. Rest assured that at Dolphinaris, the dolphins receive the highest level of care possible from animal behaviorists and veterinarians dedicated to their well-being,” the website said.

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